Post by BoneHandle on Nov 9, 2014 14:24:23 GMT -5
A lot of people may disagree with me here, which is fine. But PLEASE post your top 10 survival items! Everyone will have an item or two that isn't the same, but it will be interesting to see different strategies! In an emergency situation people always have to deal with what they have..
1.) A Hatchet or Axe - Can be used for so many things the list would end the page! Preferably a wooden handle for ease of replacement. Fixed aluminum handles bend very easily and create a weak point. No matter how hard you try to keep it bent back in place and stable it will fail again. A hatchet or axe can also be easily implemented as a knife in many ways!
2.) Fire Starter - Weather it be a lighter, matches, friction-starters, magnesium this is a must have. Without fire in many places you would just freeze to death. No cooking? No water purification step? No warmth? It would not be a good idea to leave without packing SOMETHING to start a fire!
3.) First Aid Kit - Another must have would be first aid supplies. Gauze, Bandages, Braces, Scissors, Band-Aids, Ibuprofen / Tylenol, Alcohol Wipes/Small Bottle, Rubber Gloves (x3-x5), Solar Blanket, Emergency Water Bottle. These are all thing to consider when making your own First Aid Kit. I used a waterproof box I bought at a local sporting-goods store. 10-12 inches tall, 5-7 inches across, and about 3-4 inches deep. Fit all these things and some other odds in there. Cost $10.00.
4.) Wool Blanket - In cold weather situations a wool blanket is a great thing to have! Being warm and keeping dry can make the better out of any situation. It can also be used as a seat cushion, bedding and or extra carriage gear.
5.) Cord / Rope / Twine / Hemp - Having a good bundle of some kind of rope or lashing is a great thing to have. Uses consist of shelter lashings, climbing anchor, dragging such things as sleds and game animals. Hoisting and pulley systems usually don't work without rope ;-)! Can also be used as a wicking device depending on the style of rope.
6.) Outer Wear / Clothing - Having a basic set of outdoor clothes is a good idea have. Knowing, that with practice, any clothing can be made with hide/furs and sinu I don't suggest going crazy. A rugged pair of boots, mittens, socks, thermal under-wear, jeans/cargo pants, long sleeve shirt, and some kind of comfortable waterproof jacket. I use and buy used military spec clothing for these reasons!
7.) Tarp / Canvas - Awesome for shelters, bedding, wind or rain block, dragging game animals across snow or ice.
8.) Mirror / Whistle / Compass - You can usually pick up these three things in a combination pack. Wether they are seperate pieces or an all in one you can usually find them in any camping section right beside each other. The whistle and mirror can be used to flag down or contact an over flying airplane, another hiker nearby or maybe even a warning towards intruders.
9.) Fishing Line & Hooks - Having fishing line and hooks can serve for more than just a food supply. It can be used to sew and lash small things together. But most important it IS a huge help to supply fish for food! Without some kind of nutrition you will not make it very far in the bush!
10.) Backpack / Pack Sack - Last but far from least is a backpack of some sort. How else will you transport all these things comfortably? This may be one of the things you will not want to 'scimp' on! A backpack needs to be made from rugged material, preferably with a camel back pouch, plenty of pockets and storage space! Don't overwhelm yourself with a pack that is way to big to be carried miles through the woods depending on your strength and endurance. Pick one comfortable, reliable and maybe even moisture resistant!
Of coarse the list could keep going! There are hundreds and hundreds of items that are great for surviving in the bush! These are my 10 first picks! I took into consideration my location and destination as well to help design and build the gear around it.
The following link is a list of 101 items to consider when going into the bush! Off Grid Survival - 101 Items
1.) A Hatchet or Axe - Can be used for so many things the list would end the page! Preferably a wooden handle for ease of replacement. Fixed aluminum handles bend very easily and create a weak point. No matter how hard you try to keep it bent back in place and stable it will fail again. A hatchet or axe can also be easily implemented as a knife in many ways!
2.) Fire Starter - Weather it be a lighter, matches, friction-starters, magnesium this is a must have. Without fire in many places you would just freeze to death. No cooking? No water purification step? No warmth? It would not be a good idea to leave without packing SOMETHING to start a fire!
3.) First Aid Kit - Another must have would be first aid supplies. Gauze, Bandages, Braces, Scissors, Band-Aids, Ibuprofen / Tylenol, Alcohol Wipes/Small Bottle, Rubber Gloves (x3-x5), Solar Blanket, Emergency Water Bottle. These are all thing to consider when making your own First Aid Kit. I used a waterproof box I bought at a local sporting-goods store. 10-12 inches tall, 5-7 inches across, and about 3-4 inches deep. Fit all these things and some other odds in there. Cost $10.00.
4.) Wool Blanket - In cold weather situations a wool blanket is a great thing to have! Being warm and keeping dry can make the better out of any situation. It can also be used as a seat cushion, bedding and or extra carriage gear.
5.) Cord / Rope / Twine / Hemp - Having a good bundle of some kind of rope or lashing is a great thing to have. Uses consist of shelter lashings, climbing anchor, dragging such things as sleds and game animals. Hoisting and pulley systems usually don't work without rope ;-)! Can also be used as a wicking device depending on the style of rope.
6.) Outer Wear / Clothing - Having a basic set of outdoor clothes is a good idea have. Knowing, that with practice, any clothing can be made with hide/furs and sinu I don't suggest going crazy. A rugged pair of boots, mittens, socks, thermal under-wear, jeans/cargo pants, long sleeve shirt, and some kind of comfortable waterproof jacket. I use and buy used military spec clothing for these reasons!
7.) Tarp / Canvas - Awesome for shelters, bedding, wind or rain block, dragging game animals across snow or ice.
8.) Mirror / Whistle / Compass - You can usually pick up these three things in a combination pack. Wether they are seperate pieces or an all in one you can usually find them in any camping section right beside each other. The whistle and mirror can be used to flag down or contact an over flying airplane, another hiker nearby or maybe even a warning towards intruders.
9.) Fishing Line & Hooks - Having fishing line and hooks can serve for more than just a food supply. It can be used to sew and lash small things together. But most important it IS a huge help to supply fish for food! Without some kind of nutrition you will not make it very far in the bush!
10.) Backpack / Pack Sack - Last but far from least is a backpack of some sort. How else will you transport all these things comfortably? This may be one of the things you will not want to 'scimp' on! A backpack needs to be made from rugged material, preferably with a camel back pouch, plenty of pockets and storage space! Don't overwhelm yourself with a pack that is way to big to be carried miles through the woods depending on your strength and endurance. Pick one comfortable, reliable and maybe even moisture resistant!
Of coarse the list could keep going! There are hundreds and hundreds of items that are great for surviving in the bush! These are my 10 first picks! I took into consideration my location and destination as well to help design and build the gear around it.
The following link is a list of 101 items to consider when going into the bush! Off Grid Survival - 101 Items